Eileen Hardy Shiraz, McLaren Vale

The grapes are sourced from premium McLaren Vale vineyards where vine age ranged from 45 to 104 years of age. The fruit was picked by hand, de-stemmed and fermented in small open-top vessels, then pressed in a traditional basket press. The wine is then racked to French oak barriques where it is aged for 19 months. Blueberry, spice and red liquorice appear first on the nose followed by dark plum and chocolate. The palate shows rhubarb, dark berries and plums complemented by notes of cedar box, chocolate and savoury notes. The wine is juicy and textural revealing a wonderful density of fruit with fine tannins.

About the wine maker

In 1853, Bill Hardy’s great-great-grandfather, Thomas Hardy, started crafting wines in South Australia. Throughout five generations, the Hardy family have maintained their passion, and today, Bill, along with several other members of the family, remains actively involved in this great Australian industry.

Eileen Hardy was an active influence in the Hardy Wine Company for about four decades, and was honoured with an OBE in 1977 for her outstanding contribution to the wine industry. In recognition of this great lady, each vintage the winemakers select some of the best wines to carry the 'Eileen Hardy' name.

When asked, Bill is still amazed by how far Australian wine has come, ‘It is humbling to see the growth in demand for Australian wine around the world, and an honour to have played a part in it. I am proud that our family name graces wines that are enjoyed right the way round the world. I am sure old Thomas would have had a satisfied chuckle about that too.’

Many of the top Hardys wines are made by Paul Lapsley, whom after spells working in Burgundy and in Australia alongside Philip Shaw at Rosemount, found his first full-time winemaker role at Houghton in 1987. In 2002, he joined BRL Hardy where today he is now Chief Winemaker.

Sign up to hear about our latest news, products & events.

Subscribe to our mailing list

indicates required

First Name

Last Name

Email Address

Your information

Tick here if you're happy for us to pass on your information to carefully selected third parties